Smyrna girls' tennis beats Polytech 4-1

Smyrna won four out of five matches to defeat Polytech 4-1 in tennis action on a cold and windy afternoon. The Lady Eagles are now 4-0 on the season.

Joe Backerjoe.backer@doverpost.com

First singles player Katherine Clark easily defeated Erica Wharff 6-0, 6-0 to lead the Smyrna girls' tennis team to a victory over Polytech HS on a cold and very windy, Thursday afternoon. The winds of over 20 mph and occasional high gusts had the girls scrambling to make some shots, but they all appeared to handle the conditions well.

"I feel like I played pretty well today, even though I played against an exhibition player," said Clark.

Regarding the weather conditions, Clark said that made it difficult to make her shots, "It's tougher than normal because the ball tends to move when you go to hit it, so you have to be sure to be in the correct position, and we've been practicing in the cold, so we are kind of used to it."

In the second singles match, Susanna Orbe outlasted Polytech's Chelsea Becton 1-6, 7-5, 7-5. During the third set, Becton hurt her leg, but was able to finish the match before dark.

The Eagles' first doubles team of Morgan Popovitch and Mackenzie Thompson had no problems winning their match 6-0, 6-0, over Jenn Magala and Taylor Turner. Smyrna's second double team of Leah Blair and Gretchen Farrow had a tougher time, winning their match 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 over Polytech's Makala Messick and Alli Wishin.

Panthers coach Patricia Powers said she is encouraged by her team's performance, even though they haven't won a match yet this season. "We are a young team, and it's going to take some time, but I do see progress, and we are getting better each practice," she said.

The Lady Panthers are winless in four matches. After their match on Monday, they are scheduled to play at Cape Henlopen on Wednesday and against Caesar Rodney on Friday. Both matches are set for 4 p.m.

The Lady Eagles are now 4-0 on the season. They had a match on Monday at Milford, and they are scheduled to host Dover on Wednesday at 4 p.m.